The highly anticipated series Can a Boy-Girl Friendship Survive? made its debut on April 4, 2025, airing at 10:30 p.m. JST. The first episode, also known as Iya, Shinai!!, marks the inception of the friendship between Yuu Natsume and Himari Inuzuka.
Himari is drawn to Yuu’s unwavering dedication to his craft, leading her to offer assistance for his ambitions. This gesture fosters a meaningful connection that she values deeply. Over the course of two years, their camaraderie flourishes until the unexpected entrance of a new character, Rion, introduces new challenges to their relationship.
Overview of Himari and Yuu’s Friendship Journey
The episode, titled Anemone Flaccida and Queen of the Night, opens with Yuu struggling to sell handmade preserved flower accessories during his school’s cultural festival, achieving only five sales out of his ambitious target of 100.
Upon returning to the science clubroom where his shop is set up, Yuu is welcomed by an enthusiastic Himari, who inquires about his absence and his ambitious goal for sales.
Initially, Yuu is surprised when a cheerful, unfamiliar girl reveals that she managed to sell 27 accessories during his absence. Intrigued, he shares his aspirations—he aims to launch his own flower accessory store despite his parents’ skepticism. They have only agreed to support him if he can prove his business’s potential by reaching the 100-sales milestone. Although she laughs off his struggle, Himari pledges to assist him in achieving this goal.
Fast forward two years, and Himari has been a steadfast supporter of Yuu’s endeavors, now selling his accessories through an online platform branded as “You.”Their friendship has stood the test of time.
A flashback reveals the depth of Himari’s motivation; she admires the passion reflected in Yuu’s eyes as he works. Her desire to nurture that spark drives her to suggest they pursue their dreams together by opening a store as partners.
The Impact of Rion’s Arrival
The present unfolds with Himari and Yuu enjoying a casual meal together. Amid their playful banter, Himari jokingly reminds Yuu of her whimsical promise to marry him if he hasn’t opened his own store by the age of 30, a light-hearted comment that piques the interest of her older brother, Hibari, who has begun viewing Yuu as a prospective brother-in-law.
Despite this jest, Himari is confident in the strength of their friendship, believing it transcends any romantic inclinations. She feels her commitment to supporting Yuu’s dreams is far deeper than mere attraction and is certain their bond will remain intact, regardless of Yuu’s future romantic relationships.
Meanwhile, Yuu meets a striking dark-haired girl in the school lobby and recognizes her bracelet as one he crafted and sold at a prior cultural festival. However, when the bracelet unexpectedly breaks, she gives him a sharp look, prompting him to awkwardly retreat.
Later, Yuu’s friend Shinji Makishima introduces this girl as Rin-chan, his childhood friend, leading her back for Yuu to repair the bracelet. Himari, too, identifies her as Rion Enomoto, an old friend from elementary school.
During their break, Yuu and Himari discuss Rion, discovering that her older sister was a classmate of Hibari and had previously helped promote Yuu’s accessories.
Unraveling Connections
The finale of this episode sees Yuu repairing Rion’s bracelet, precipitating light-hearted and humorous exchanges among the trio.
As the school day comes to a close and they part ways, Rion casually inquires whether Yuu and Himari are a couple. Himari clarifies their relationship as simply best friends since middle school. Internally, she contemplates Yuu’s passion for his craft—something she fears Rion may not fully comprehend.
Himari reflects on her unwavering commitment to stand by Yuu’s side, convinced their friendship will endure until his flower accessory production halts.
However, Rion’s unexpected remark about receiving a courting invitation from someone unfamiliar throws Himari off balance. She is captivated when Rion reveals a photograph showing Himari with one of Yuu’s bracelets.
Though they have never met, Rion conveys a sense of connection to Yuu, hinting that the store responsible for Himari’s accessories must belong to him. This shocking realization leaves Himari questioning her previously held beliefs about her unique understanding of Yuu and the nature of their relationship. The premiere concludes on this uncertain, thought-provoking note.